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*Web Novel chapter below*

How to Invest in Index Funds: A Beginner’s Guide to Effortless Wealth-Building

Investing can feel like a maze of confusing options and risky bets—especially if you’re just starting out. But there’s one strategy that cuts through the noise with its simplicity, low cost, and proven results: index fund investing. If you’re searching for a beginner-friendly way to grow your wealth over time, index funds are your golden ticket. In this guide, we’ll explain what index funds are, why they’re perfect for beginners, and how to get started today—complete with trusted platforms where you can sign up. By the end, you’ll have a clear, actionable path to launch your investment journey.

What Are Index Funds?

Imagine owning a small piece of the entire stock market without having to pick individual stocks. That’s the magic of an index fund. It’s a type of mutual fund or exchange-traded fund (ETF) that mirrors a specific market index, like the S&P 500 or the Dow Jones Industrial Average. Instead of betting on one company, you’re investing in hundreds—like Apple, Microsoft, and Amazon—all at once. It’s less about chasing winners and more about riding the market’s natural growth.

Why Index Funds Are Perfect for Beginners

Index funds are the go-to choice for new investors, and here’s why:

• Instant Diversification: One fund spreads your money across hundreds of companies, so a single stock’s stumble won’t derail your progress.
• Low Fees: No need for expensive stock-picking experts—index funds keep costs down.
• Set It and Forget It: No market expertise needed. Just invest and let time do the heavy lifting.
• Proven Track Record: Studies show index funds often outperform actively managed funds, making them a reliable path to long-term wealth.

How to Start Investing in Index Funds: A 3-Step Guide

Ready to take control of your financial future? Follow these simple steps to begin your index fund journey.

Step 1: Choose a Brokerage Account

A brokerage account is your gateway to buying index funds. Think of it as your investment dashboard. Here are three top platforms perfect for beginners:

• Vanguard: The pioneer of low-cost index funds. Sign up here.
• Fidelity: Offers zero-fee index funds with no minimums. Get started.
• Charles Schwab: Known for stellar customer support. Open an account.

Pro Tip: Look for platforms with low fees, a variety of funds, and an easy-to-use interface. Most let you start with as little as $1!

Step 2: Pick the Right Index Fund

Once your account is set up, choose a fund that matches your goals:

• S&P 500 Index Funds: Tracks the 500 largest U.S. companies (e.g., Vanguard’s VOO). Perfect for broad market exposure.
• Total Stock Market Index Funds: Includes small, mid, and large-cap stocks (e.g., Schwab’s SWTSX). Maximum diversification.
• International Index Funds: Invests globally (e.g., Fidelity’s FZILX). Adds worldwide balance.

Newbie Hack: Start with an S&P 500 or total market fund for simplicity and growth potential.

Step 3: Make Your First Investment

Now, it’s time to put your money to work:

• Fund Your Account: Transfer as little as $1–$100 to get started.
• Buy Your Fund: Search for your chosen fund (e.g., VOO at Vanguard) and hit “buy.”
• Automate It: Set up automatic investments—like $50 a month—to grow your wealth effortlessly.

Quick Links:

• Invest with Vanguard
• Trade with Fidelity
• Start with Schwab

Why Index Funds Are a Smart Choice

• Lower Risk: Diversification cushions you from single-stock disasters.
• Tax-Friendly: Fewer trades mean fewer taxable events.
• Long-Term Gains: With the market’s historical 7–10% annual return, index funds are a retirement-building powerhouse.

Risks to Keep in Mind

No investment is bulletproof. Here’s what to watch:

• Market Swings: When the market dips, so does your fund. But history shows it bounces back.
• No Big Wins: You won’t beat the market—but for most, matching it is a win.

Tips for Index Fund Success

• Invest Regularly: Use dollar-cost averaging to smooth out market highs and lows.
• Diversify Further: Add international or bond funds as your portfolio grows.
• Stay the Course: Don’t panic-sell during downturns. Long-term investors win by holding steady.

Real-Life Success Story: Sarah’s $240,000 Nest Egg

Meet Sarah, a 30-year-old teacher who invested $200 a month in an S&P 500 index fund. After 30 years, her $72,000 in contributions ballooned to over $240,000—thanks to the market’s average 7% return. No stock-picking, no stress—just consistent investing through platforms like Fidelity or Vanguard.

Start Your Investment Journey Today

Index funds are your beginner-friendly path to low-cost, reliable wealth-building. Sign up with a trusted brokerage like Vanguard, Fidelity, or Charles Schwab, pick a fund, and start with as little as $50 a month. The sooner you begin, the more time your money has to grow. Take that first step now—your future self will thank you!

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Dungeon Start Heroine Tamer and Training Mission! ~Lately, there’s been a lot of talk about strong, cute, and beautiful female adventurers… All of them are my followers!

Resuming the exploration, we walked for a while longer.

“KOGYAAA!!”

A monster with a dog’s head— A kobold came rushing at us with great momentum the moment it detected us.

“Whoa!!”

I raised my wooden shield, preparing to intercept. The machete held by the kobold drew closer, sending a chill down my spine.

But panicking, getting flustered, losing composure right there… That’s the worst thing you could do. They taught us that during the adventurer qualification training.

So I didn’t look away. Instead, I tightened my grip on the shield.

“Hrah—”

Thud , a dull sound echoed. At the same time, a strong impact hit the shield, traveling all the way to my hands.

“KUSYIA!? KOGI,GI—”

The machete had lodged itself into the shield and got stuck. I could feel the kobold’s panic as it struggled to pull the machete out, vibrations running through its movements.

See~ That’s why I said, don’t get flustered.

You should take the beginner’s class too, Kobold-kun.

“Sousenji!”

“—Yes, Amasaki -kun!!”

Just by calling his name, he responded as if understanding my intent. Sousenji swiftly dashed past me, and before I realized it, she had already raised her one-handed sword.

“Yaaahh!!”

A powerful voice from Sousenji that I’d never heard before. Her sword struck true without any hesitation, slicing through the kobold.

“KOBO—”

Before it could even let out a death cry, the kobold disintegrated into particles and disappeared.

“Good work, Amasaki -kun… Phew~. Alright, let’s put it away.”

Sousenji exhaled deeply and awkwardly sheathed her sword, still unfamiliar with handling it.

Ah~ Well, yeah, of course.

Even though she’s become capable of defeating monsters, it doesn’t mean she’s mastered weapon handling yet. That’s something she’ll have to gain experience with and learn through practice.

It won’t go like “Ghehe, I’ll train that lewd body of yours from now on!”

“—Ah, I did it! Hey, hey, Amasaki -kun! My level went up!”

While I was lost in some silly thoughts, Sousenji excitedly came closer. She looked like a puppy wagging its tail, eager to be praised by its owner.

What is this adorable creature? Damn, at this rate, I might get dragged into Sousenji’s cuteness swamp!

—I activated the loner skill “Pretend it’s hard to see and avoid eye contact” against overly social people!

I smoothly shifted my gaze to Sousenji’s status screen.

[Status]

●Basic Information

Name: Saionji Hikari Age: 17 years old Gender: Female Job: None Master-Servant Relationship: Master: Amasaki  Hayato ―Training Points Owned: 100 New!

●Stats

Lv.1 → Lv.2 New! HP: 9/6 (+3) → 10/7 (+3) New! MP: 5/3 (+3) → 6/4 (+3) New! Strength: 1 (+3) → 2 (+3) New! Stamina: 1 (+3) → 2 (+3) New! Magic Power: 0 (+3) → 1 (+3) New! Magic Resistance: 2 (+3) → 3 (+3) New! Agility: 2 (+3) → 3 (+3) New! Dexterity: 4 (+3) → 5 (+3) New!

※(+3) = [All Stats +3]

“Ah~ So it’s true. Congratulations.”

Indeed, Saionji had leveled up. With it, all her stats increased by 1.

Hearing “1” might make it seem like a small change. But little by little, it adds up.

It was already drastically different from the numbers on the status paper I saw during our first meeting. Saionji had truly become stronger.

“Ah. Fufu, how cruel, Amasaki -kun. That felt so casual, not congratulatory at all.”

Saionji didn’t seem to mind at all. Rather, it felt like she was enjoying this light-hearted exchange.

Ah~ So cute.

“That’s because just living is already super commendable; congratulations for being alive, leading to an over-supply of congratulations breaking the balance of supply and demand, resulting in government intervention causing a congratulations spiral ― Oh! Saionji, looks like leveling up gave you 100 Training Points too?”

I rattled off something that sounded like what a bright, socially conscious guy might say. Most people probably end up like this when charmed by Saionji’s cuteness.

“Fufu, fufufu. Amasaki -kun, I didn’t understand anything you said except the last part.”

For some reason, Saionji found it hilarious. Seeing her laugh until she could barely breathe was just too cute.

“Phew~. —Since I defeated a humanoid monster, you tried cheering me up, right? Don’t worry, I’m fine. Thank you, Amasaki -kun.”

After the wave of laughter subsided, Saionji earnestly thanked me with a smile.

…Huh? Somehow Saionji’s favorability towards me has gone up. Honestly, I didn’t intend for that much.

“Uii~”

It was difficult to confirm or deny, so I gave another vague response.

“Fufu.”

Despite that, Saionji happily giggled.

◆　◆　◆　◆

[Training Tree Servant: Saionji Hikari]

Training Points Owned: 100

●<Basic>—All Stats +3 ○ | └ HP・Strength・Stamina +3 | └ MP・Magic Power・Magic Resistance +3 | └ Agility・Dexterity +4

●<Job>—Power Strike

└ Magic Shot ○ | └ Job: Mage | └ Job: Cleric

“The [Training Tree] is growing nicely.”

I showed Saionji the diagram of the [Training Tree], copied onto a piece of paper.

“The branches extending from <Basic> each cost 100 points. Meaning, if you have 300 points, you can unlock all of them.”

Since <Basic> relates to stat values, it means you can grow stronger simply by accumulating Training Points. This differs from the two-choice selection between the <Job> options, Power Strike and Magic Shot.

“Ah, Amasaki -kun! Does this mean… I can obtain a job!?”

Looking at the written <Job>, specifically the options for Mage and Cleric, Saionji’s eyes sparkled and she leaned closer.

Woah, close, smells good, cute, smells good!? Being ambushed with cuteness and a pleasant scent at such close range, Saionji, you’re playing dirty!

“…Though it requires 200 Training Points.”

Even so, it’s a number Saionji can reach after gaining just one more level.

“Gaining one level gives 100 Training Points, right? Defeating two monsters made me level up… Even if the required experience increases, it seems possible within today or tomorrow?”

The benefits of leveling up differ greatly depending on whether you have a job or not.

If you have the job of Warrior, your HP and Strength increase with bonuses upon leveling up. Having the Mage job makes MP and Magic Power easier to raise.

Thus, Saionji, who doesn’t have a job, shouldn’t have much benefit compared to adventurers with jobs. However, due to her position as a servant under the Heroine Tamer, she gains 100 Training Points upon leveling up. Thanks to this, even without a job, Saionji has proper motivation to keep leveling up.

“What to do? With the current 100 points, you can unlock one branch from <Basic>. Or save it for <Job>?”

I communicated clearly with Saionji and confirmed her intentions.

“Yes, I’ll save them! I haven’t decided between Mage or Cleric yet… But I really want a job.”

“OK. Then let’s do that.”

◆　◆　◆　◆

With a plan set, we set out again to level up. About 30 minutes later, we encountered two goblins.

One was defeated through coordinated efforts like with the kobold. The other was obliterated with a Magic Shot like before.

[Status]

●Basic Information

Name: Saionji Hikari …

●Stats

Lv.2 HP: 10/7 (+3) MP: 5/4 (+3)

In terms of numbers, it means she can cast [Magic Shot] about five more times. But running out of MP can cause physical discomfort, and even having one left feels tough.

We discussed this before entering the dungeon, but it’s probably best to avoid spamming [Magic Shot].

“Alrighty—”

“Ah, I leveled up.”

While Saionji was picking up the goblin’s magic stone, I felt a tangible sense of growth from within.

Although I was a bit late compared to Saionji, I also leveled up after defeating the second one.

“Waa! Great job, Amasaki -kun!”

Saionji cheered for me as if it were her own achievement. …But why is she raising and waving her right hand with a big smile?

“…New taunt?”

Something like “Amasaki -kun, your level-up is so slow. Loser . I’ll go ahead, bye-bye~…”?

“Taunt? —No, it’s a high-five. Here.”

But Saionji didn’t care. She continued to adorably wave her right hand beside her face, urging me on.

“What kind of high-five is this… here.”

I’ve never done a high-five with anyone. Especially not with a girl, and definitely not with Saionji—it felt quite embarrassing. Instead of slapping, it ended up as a weak touch of palms.

“Yay. I did my first high-five with Amezaki-kun “

Still, Saionji seemed happy. A leisurely, heartwarming high-five suited her well.

As much as I wanted to scold her,

Beautiful girls shouldn’t say things like “had my first ○○ with a boy.” That alone sends pubescent boys into overdrive.

“…Wow, none of my stats increased.”

I despaired looking at my own status.

While Saionji, who doesn’t have a job, still saw an increase of 1 in all stats, I, as a holder of the Heroine Tamer job, achieved the feat of zero increase across all stats.

…Ah, but I received 200 Training Points.

Different jobs have various bonuses applied to level-up benefits. It seems the Heroine Tamer sacrifices stat increases to summon Training Points instead.

The Heroine Tamer lives up to its “Tamer” name. Its main purpose is commanding others to fight. Thus, accumulating Training Points necessary to strengthen servants is indeed the correct path.

Thinking this way, I somehow managed to accept it.

“Well, I should pick up a training skill too… Ah.”

—My Heroine Tamer job level had also increased.

[Status]

●Basic Information

Name: Amasaki  Hayato Age: 17 years old Gender: Male Job: Heroine Tamer Lv.1 → Lv.2 New!

…

●Master-Servant Relationship Servant: Saionji Hikari

●Skills [Training] ■Training Skills
[Tame] [Training Tree] [Servant Fruit] New!

Apparently, it rose simultaneously with my status level. I didn’t notice it immediately, but checking the status confirmed that the Heroine Tamer had reached Lv.2.

“…What’s this?”

And a mysterious new training skill called [Servant Fruit] had been acquired.

――――

Afterword

Surprisingly, this modern fantasy ranked 92nd in the weekly rankings. Thanks to everyone who read, bookmarked, and reviewed it. Thank you so much.

By the way,

Regarding Saionji’s status, especially the way HP and MP are displayed, I’m experimenting with various ways to make it clearer.

HP: 10/7 (+3) MP: 6/4 (+3)

※(+3) = [All Stats +3]

In this case, before the [All Stats +3] calculation, meaning Saionji’s base stats are:

HP: 7/7 MP: 3/4

After the [All Stats +3] calculation:

HP: 10/10 MP: 6/7

I hope you continue to enjoy reading.